Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Shape of Things to Come /by Tony Bunyan http://www.statewatch.org/analyses/the-shape-of-things-to-come.pdfThe EU is currently developing a new five year strategy for justice and home affairs and security policy for 2009-2014. The proposals set out by the shadowy "Future Group" set up by the Council of the European Union include a range of highly controversial measures including new technologies of surveillance, enhanced cooperation with the United States and harnessing the "digital tsunami". In the words of the EU Council presidency:"/Every object the individual uses, every transaction they make and almost everywhere they go will create a detailed digital record. This will generate a wealth of information for public security organisations, and create huge opportunities for more effective and productive public security efforts."/Seven years on from 11 September 2001 and the launch of the "war on terorism" this major new report /The Shape of Things to come/ (60 pages) examines the proposals of the Future Group and their effect on civil liberties. It shows how European governments and EU policy-makers are pursuing unfettered powers to access and gather masses of personal data on the everyday life of everyone ? on the grounds that we can all be safe and secure from perceived ?threats?.The /Statewatch/ report calls for a "meaningful and wide-ranging debate"before it is "too late" for privacy and civil liberties.Press release: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2008/sep/the-shape-of-things-to-come-prel.pdfEight page Conclusions: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2008/sep/the-shape-of-things-to-come-conclusions.pdfCopy of full report (pdf): http://www.statewatch.org/analyses/the-shape-of-things-to-come.pdfFor further information:00 44 208 802 1882e-mail: office@statewatch.org